OBJECTIVES: China faces rising challenges of respiratory diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. While lung function examination is important for early detection of respiratory diseases, public understanding of the examination is not reported in the current literature. Thus, this study aimed to investigate social understanding of lung function examination in China, expecting to provide evidence for promoting the awareness of lung function examination among Chinese population.

METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted in four main cities in different regions of China: Beijing (northern); Shanghai (eastern); Guangzhou (southern); and Chengdu (western). Participants aged between 40 and 60 years old were recruited.

RESULTS: A total of 400 valid responses were received. Among all the respondents, 89.5% acknowledged that they were exposed to health risks associated with air conditions affecting their lung function. But 70.5% had never learned about lung function before. While 64.5% respondents chose medical examination as the main way to learn about the health status of their respiratory system, 44.5% had never taken such examination before. Among those who had taken lung function examination before, 42.9% did it as part of the fixed medical examination package; 30.4% were suggested by doctors, and only 26.8% made the request themselves. 95% respondents agreed to include lung function examination into their regular medical examination if such examination costed between 50-100 CNY. 79.4% respondents preferred to take the lung function examination at the public hospitals.

CONCLUSIONS: While the public was aware of the health risks associated with air conditions, their understanding of lung function and awareness of lung function examination was limited. Collaborative efforts among stakeholders to promote public awareness about lung function examination and to include lung function examination into regular medical examination are required.